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a raised eyebrow, Aaron said, ‘I went back to Lola’s cabin. We had things to chat about.’
    ‘It’s past eight o’clock now. It must have been more of a debate than a chat!’
    Wes had been attracted to Lola from their first meeting and there was an element of resentment in his response.
    Aaron shrugged, ‘Call it what you like, Wes. Lola is a bright girl. She weighed up Ira and has singled out the men we saw with him earlier in the evening. She told me they’ve been asking a whole lot more questions than casual gambling passengers usually do.’
    ‘What sort of questions?’ Wes asked.
    ‘They’re particularly interested in the amount of money taken by the casino; where it’s put for safekeeping when the casino closes down – and who holds the key to the safe.’
    ‘Hardly the sort of questions a casual gambler is likely to ask,’ Wes agreed, ‘but if they intend getting their hands on the casino takings surely they’ll leave it until the very last minute to rob the boat. Ira will be leaving the Missouri Belle in a couple of day’s time.’
    ‘True,’ said Aaron, ‘But if Ira and his friends have enough men to back ’em up they’ll figure on taking all the cash that’s being carried onboard. They won’t leave behind a large amount sitting in the safe. The place where he’s asked the captain to land him is a well-wooded and sparsely populated stretch of the river. If he’s planning to have friends come aboard there they’ll reckon on overpowering the sort of opposition they’re expecting and being able to take as long as they like to do what they want. I’m confident we’ll give them a nasty surprise, Wes, but it could be a hard fight.’
    Wes felt a surge of excitement – and fear – at Aaron’s words, but the US Marshal had not finished talking, ‘… We need to warn the others what to expect and when to be ready, but I don’t want to be seen talking to anyone. Ira’s not happy about having me on board and I don’t want him suspectinganything. Try to talk to Harrison Schuster without being seen. Have him pass on to the others what we’re expecting to happen. We should reach the place where Ira wants the boat to land him in a couple of days. I’ll let Harrison know more nearer the time. Gottland and his gang will be expecting to take everyone on board by surprise but the first thing they’ll want to do is secure the pilot-house, I intend that you and I will be there waiting for them.’
    Looking speculatively at the Cornishman, Aaron said, ‘There’s just one thing we need to get clear, Wes.’
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘When Ira’s men come bursting into the pilot-house you don’t ask any questions. If I say so, you shoot – and you shoot to kill, is that understood?’
    Wes nodded, but the gesture did not satisfy Aaron. ‘If you’re uncertain of being able to do it you’re no good to me, Wes. We’re dealing with killers. Men who won’t hesitate to kill men, women or children to get what they want. If you have any doubts about being able to kill a man I don’t want you in the pilot house with me. Even the slightest hesitation could result in both of us dying and many of those on board the Missouri Belle along with us. That includes Lola – unless they decide they’d like to take her with ’em, and that would be a whole lot worse for her.’
    ‘I won’t let you down, Aaron.’
    After only a moment’s hesitation, Aaron nodded, apparently satisfied. ‘Good. Our lives and that of the pilot will depend on you, boy. Now, I’ll tell you what I have planned for the others….’

CHAPTER 4
    For the next forty-eight hours life on board the Missouri Belle was little different to that of any other Mississippi river-boat. The passengers enjoyed good food and comfortable accommodation during the day and when night fell men adjourned to the casino. Here they gambled their money and flirted with the female croupiers who, with a display of sympathy that convinced all but the most